Monday, July 23, 2012
Bedtime Routine
While Jay gets everything prepped for bath I hold both babies. Generally they are super fussy. Emma Cate will sometimes sleep. Holden will not. The only thing that calms him down? Singing. Now, my singing is terrible. I mean terrible. Tone deaf, can't carry a tune in a bucket. I'm thankful for my iPhone. We put it on random and dance and sing. Tonight's big winner was Van Morrison's Have You Ever Seen the Rain. Last night, LMFAO's Shots complete with fist pumping. We are planning to raise our children with very eclectic musical taste. So far so good. Music video to come one of these days.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Lazy Sunday Morning
We had plans to visit the park today but we got a little hung up cuddling with our babies...
Friday, July 20, 2012
1 Month
Emma Cate and Holden you are one month old today! Here's what you've been up to!
What our life is like:
We wake up between 6am and 7am to feed and start our day and send Daddy off to work. Shortly after this feed we all go back to sleep! Around 9 we are up for the day. You both are breastfed at 9 and then will normally take a little nap and let me get somethings done around the house. At 12 you are breastfed again and then we get ready to go out. It takes about an hour to get both of you fed, diapers changed, dressed, in your car seats and in the car. I like to get out of the house between 1-3 and you both sleep pretty well during this time. We make it home in time for your 3pm feed and then you both normally nap until 4:30pm or so. Around 4:30-5pm you are awake and loud! Daddy gets home at 5pm and he takes over and lets me have a little break. We try to keep you entertained until your 6pm feed. Between 7 and 8, you either sleep well or cry and want to be held. Mom and Dad have learned to eat, do dishes, and laundry all with a baby in our arms. At 8:30 we start bedtime routine. Daddy takes the first baby and gives you a bath in the sink, changes your diaper and hands you over to Mommy to be fed. While the first baby is eating, Daddy does the bath routine with the next baby. When the first baby finishes eating, Daddy takes you back, puts your pjs on, reads you a story, swaddles you and puts you to bed. When the second baby finishes eating, Daddy does the same thing while Mommy cleans up the house. Daddy loves spending this time with you! When you are both swaddled in the crib, we both say prayers with you and kiss you good night! Mommy and Daddy head to bed around 10 and pray that you'll sleep late! Usually you wake up around 12:30-1:30. Mommy pumps and gives Emma Cate a bottle while Daddy gives Holden a bottle, changes him, puts him back to bed, comes and gets Emma Cate and puts her to bed while Mommy finishes up. We've got it down to about 20 minutes. The next feed happens between 3-4:45am and then our day starts over again between 6am and 7am.
You guys like being together. You still sleep in the same crib and so many times when we go in to check on you, you've moved closer to each other. When one of you grunts the other will grunt back. It's not like a conversation, just more like assuring each other that you are there. We love watching you lay next to each to each other on the couch and in the pack n play. Limbs are always flying and sometimes you hit each other but neither of you seems to mind. I think you both love interacting with each other.
Our life has changed so much and we love it. We love being your parents.
Emma Cate:
Nicknames: Em Cay, Emma Tate, Sweet Pea (especially by your daddy), EC
Weight: about 6 pounds
Height: unknown- we'll head to the dr next week
Hair: dark brown lots on the sides and in the back but not so much on the top. Some is starting to grow on top but its much lighter. Mommy guesses that you're going to have curly hair like me!
Eyes: Blue-ish gray
Clothes: you've pretty much grown out of your preemies and have started wearing newborn outfits! I tried you in a 0-3 month today and its still too big.
Diapers: infant cloth and we still fold them down in the front. Newborn size covers.
Eating: takes 3 oz every 3 hours by bottle. Not sure how much by breast but you seem content.
Likes: being held, laying on her back in the pack n play watching the toys that dangle above, looking in the mirror, hanging out on her boppy
Dislikes: the swing, the booger snatcher, hearing Holden cry, anytime between 4-5pm
Development: starting to follow me with your eyes
Words: not yet!
Teeth: not yet!
Extra:
Emma Cate, I always knew I wanted a daughter and I'm so glad God blessed me with you. We have little chats about getting our nails done, designer jeans, and fights to come. When I hold you, I tell you how much I love you and how I know that one day we will fight like crazy (if you are anything like your mama) but I will always always always love you. I can't wait to go for pedicures and have mommy-daughter time like I've always dreamed about.
You are our little snorter. I feel bad for you because it seems like you have such a hard time breathing. We tried putting something under the mattress in your crib to help prop you up but you rolled head first into the bumper pads and scared Mommy! We're going to try again with something a little smaller.
You are very alert and have been since you were born. I love looking into your eyes and talking to you.
You are not a fan of diaper changes but seem so much happier when you've got a fresh diaper!
You are a slow eater compared to your brother. I bottle feed you during the night time feeds and love spending time with just you.
You are a pretty light sleeper.
You've got a MAJOR set of lungs and you like to use them to remind us you're here.
You love your hands by your face.
You like to curl up in a little ball and you keep your legs tucked in. You seem so tiny!
You are starting to give us tiny smiles. I don't think they are on purpose but I love them nonetheless!
You are so pretty and dainty.
Holden:
Nicknames: Holdy, Holds, Earthworm (that's from your dad), Baby boy, Old man
Weight: about 7 pounds
Height: unknown- we'll head to the dr next week. You feel sooo long to me!
Hair: blond. You've got a nice even amount of peach fuzz covering your head.
Eyes: Blue
Clothes: you can fit into all of your newborn clothes and some 0-3.
Diapers: infant cloth and we still fold them down in the front. Newborn covers with a few size 1's thrown in the mix.
Eating: takes 3 oz every 3 hours by bottle and you guzzle it! I'm afraid to give you more because you spit up so much!
Likes: being held, stretching your neck like a turtle, mama roo and the swing, laying on your tummy on daddy
Dislikes: having your diaper changed, being strapped in your car seat (before the car gets moving)
Development: you are so strong. You straighten your legs to stand when we hold you up and you've got a really strong back and good neck control. Daddy calls you his little athlete.
Words: not yet!
Teeth: not yet!
Extra:
Holden, I have so enjoyed having a son! Something about a baby boy is just so sweet. I was so nervous to have a baby boy. I know nothing about boys! Our time together is so sweet. I love to cuddle you and sing to you. We chat about being a sweet boy and having good manners. I am soaking up every minute of cuddling and kissing you because from what I've heard, there is a time when little boys don't want to be loved on by their mamas ;)
You are relatively laid back.
You enjoy cuddling and listening to me sing to you. We're working on your dancing skills.
You love to stretch out and straighten your legs.
Your cry is a little meek. We think you sound like a guinea pig!
Your paci calms you down pretty well.
We tease you about being an old man because you wrinkle your forehead so much. You like to wrinkle it up and look up towards us. You love facing out and seeing what is going on.
You are not as good of a sleeper as your sister. I think you are just a hungry guy and that's why you wake up during the night.
You can let out some major burps. You get upset tummy a lot and we spend a lot of time burping you. You chug your bottle like a frat boy and we have to stop you every ounce and burp you!
You spit up a lot. Usually 30 minutes-1 hour after you've been fed. We're hoping this goes away soon!
You are so handsome!
What our life is like:
We wake up between 6am and 7am to feed and start our day and send Daddy off to work. Shortly after this feed we all go back to sleep! Around 9 we are up for the day. You both are breastfed at 9 and then will normally take a little nap and let me get somethings done around the house. At 12 you are breastfed again and then we get ready to go out. It takes about an hour to get both of you fed, diapers changed, dressed, in your car seats and in the car. I like to get out of the house between 1-3 and you both sleep pretty well during this time. We make it home in time for your 3pm feed and then you both normally nap until 4:30pm or so. Around 4:30-5pm you are awake and loud! Daddy gets home at 5pm and he takes over and lets me have a little break. We try to keep you entertained until your 6pm feed. Between 7 and 8, you either sleep well or cry and want to be held. Mom and Dad have learned to eat, do dishes, and laundry all with a baby in our arms. At 8:30 we start bedtime routine. Daddy takes the first baby and gives you a bath in the sink, changes your diaper and hands you over to Mommy to be fed. While the first baby is eating, Daddy does the bath routine with the next baby. When the first baby finishes eating, Daddy takes you back, puts your pjs on, reads you a story, swaddles you and puts you to bed. When the second baby finishes eating, Daddy does the same thing while Mommy cleans up the house. Daddy loves spending this time with you! When you are both swaddled in the crib, we both say prayers with you and kiss you good night! Mommy and Daddy head to bed around 10 and pray that you'll sleep late! Usually you wake up around 12:30-1:30. Mommy pumps and gives Emma Cate a bottle while Daddy gives Holden a bottle, changes him, puts him back to bed, comes and gets Emma Cate and puts her to bed while Mommy finishes up. We've got it down to about 20 minutes. The next feed happens between 3-4:45am and then our day starts over again between 6am and 7am.
You guys like being together. You still sleep in the same crib and so many times when we go in to check on you, you've moved closer to each other. When one of you grunts the other will grunt back. It's not like a conversation, just more like assuring each other that you are there. We love watching you lay next to each to each other on the couch and in the pack n play. Limbs are always flying and sometimes you hit each other but neither of you seems to mind. I think you both love interacting with each other.
Our life has changed so much and we love it. We love being your parents.
Emma Cate:
Nicknames: Em Cay, Emma Tate, Sweet Pea (especially by your daddy), EC
Weight: about 6 pounds
Height: unknown- we'll head to the dr next week
Hair: dark brown lots on the sides and in the back but not so much on the top. Some is starting to grow on top but its much lighter. Mommy guesses that you're going to have curly hair like me!
Eyes: Blue-ish gray
Clothes: you've pretty much grown out of your preemies and have started wearing newborn outfits! I tried you in a 0-3 month today and its still too big.
Diapers: infant cloth and we still fold them down in the front. Newborn size covers.
Eating: takes 3 oz every 3 hours by bottle. Not sure how much by breast but you seem content.
Likes: being held, laying on her back in the pack n play watching the toys that dangle above, looking in the mirror, hanging out on her boppy
Dislikes: the swing, the booger snatcher, hearing Holden cry, anytime between 4-5pm
Development: starting to follow me with your eyes
Words: not yet!
Teeth: not yet!
Extra:
Emma Cate, I always knew I wanted a daughter and I'm so glad God blessed me with you. We have little chats about getting our nails done, designer jeans, and fights to come. When I hold you, I tell you how much I love you and how I know that one day we will fight like crazy (if you are anything like your mama) but I will always always always love you. I can't wait to go for pedicures and have mommy-daughter time like I've always dreamed about.
You are our little snorter. I feel bad for you because it seems like you have such a hard time breathing. We tried putting something under the mattress in your crib to help prop you up but you rolled head first into the bumper pads and scared Mommy! We're going to try again with something a little smaller.
You are very alert and have been since you were born. I love looking into your eyes and talking to you.
You are not a fan of diaper changes but seem so much happier when you've got a fresh diaper!
You are a slow eater compared to your brother. I bottle feed you during the night time feeds and love spending time with just you.
You are a pretty light sleeper.
You've got a MAJOR set of lungs and you like to use them to remind us you're here.
You love your hands by your face.
You like to curl up in a little ball and you keep your legs tucked in. You seem so tiny!
You are starting to give us tiny smiles. I don't think they are on purpose but I love them nonetheless!
You are so pretty and dainty.
Holden:
Nicknames: Holdy, Holds, Earthworm (that's from your dad), Baby boy, Old man
Weight: about 7 pounds
Height: unknown- we'll head to the dr next week. You feel sooo long to me!
Hair: blond. You've got a nice even amount of peach fuzz covering your head.
Eyes: Blue
Clothes: you can fit into all of your newborn clothes and some 0-3.
Diapers: infant cloth and we still fold them down in the front. Newborn covers with a few size 1's thrown in the mix.
Eating: takes 3 oz every 3 hours by bottle and you guzzle it! I'm afraid to give you more because you spit up so much!
Likes: being held, stretching your neck like a turtle, mama roo and the swing, laying on your tummy on daddy
Dislikes: having your diaper changed, being strapped in your car seat (before the car gets moving)
Development: you are so strong. You straighten your legs to stand when we hold you up and you've got a really strong back and good neck control. Daddy calls you his little athlete.
Words: not yet!
Teeth: not yet!
Extra:
Holden, I have so enjoyed having a son! Something about a baby boy is just so sweet. I was so nervous to have a baby boy. I know nothing about boys! Our time together is so sweet. I love to cuddle you and sing to you. We chat about being a sweet boy and having good manners. I am soaking up every minute of cuddling and kissing you because from what I've heard, there is a time when little boys don't want to be loved on by their mamas ;)
You are relatively laid back.
You enjoy cuddling and listening to me sing to you. We're working on your dancing skills.
You love to stretch out and straighten your legs.
Your cry is a little meek. We think you sound like a guinea pig!
Your paci calms you down pretty well.
We tease you about being an old man because you wrinkle your forehead so much. You like to wrinkle it up and look up towards us. You love facing out and seeing what is going on.
You are not as good of a sleeper as your sister. I think you are just a hungry guy and that's why you wake up during the night.
You can let out some major burps. You get upset tummy a lot and we spend a lot of time burping you. You chug your bottle like a frat boy and we have to stop you every ounce and burp you!
You spit up a lot. Usually 30 minutes-1 hour after you've been fed. We're hoping this goes away soon!
You are so handsome!
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
4 Weeks
At 4 weeks (7/18/12):
This was a rough week for our family...
On Wednesday (7/11) Mommy was still stuck in bed feeling bad with mastitis. The babies got to hang out with Gigi all day!
On Thursday (7/12) Mommy started feeling so much better. Gigi and Mommy took you both to Aunt Bo's condo to clean it for her. Aunt Bo works about 100 hours a week and is never home. Both babies slept on Bo's bed while I organized all of Bo's jewelry. Bo was able to come home for dinner (she had to go back to work afterwards) and Daddy stopped by after work and we walked over to Brixx and enjoyed a meal out!
On Friday (7/13) Gigi headed back to Atlanta and we all hung out around the house all day waiting for Daddy to come home. We also got rid of your preemie bottles since you all are taking 3oz now and those bottles were only 2oz!
On Saturday (7/14) Mommy started to feel sick and had to go back to the hospital. Daddy packed everyone up and dropped Mommy off. It was one of the hardest nights I've ever had being away from the babies. I kept hearing babies cry and would like about my babies at home. Gran drove to Charlotte to spend the night and help Daddy out.
On Sunday (7/15) Poppy arrived early in the morning to help Daddy out. You both enjoyed spending time with him. According to your Dad, Poppy walked you around the house and told you stories of all the hard work he and your Daddy did updating our home. Holden felt ice for the first time and both of you got fist fulls of Boomer fur! That afternoon, Gigi came to the hospital to hang out with me for a little bit. Daddy brought you to the hospital that evening and I LOVED seeing you! The nurses were all excited to see you! They had helped me out when I was in the hospital while pregnant with you and had fun seeing you on the outside. I got to feed you your 9pm bottles before Gigi and Daddy took you back home.
On Monday (7/16) I was still in the hospital and you got to hang out with Gigi. You met Gigi's friend Kate and had fun hanging out. Gigi brought you to the hospital and I was able to breastfeed you a bit and snuggle with my babies.
On Tuesday (7/17) I was feeling sooo much better and ready to be released from the hospital. Your Gigi had to be back in Atlanta to show her house at 4pm so we were in a mad rush to get everything done! It was a bit of a crazy day! I had a great nurse that got my doctor to release me early and helped us get out of the hospital by 11am. Gigi had a doctor's appointment at 11:10 that was on the hospital campus so we loaded all of Mommy's stuff up and rushed through the hospital to get Gigi there in time. Immediately after her appointment she had to drop us off at home and head back to Atlanta. It was hard to see her go and I was nervous to be on my own with you babies again!
This was a rough week for our family...
On Wednesday (7/11) Mommy was still stuck in bed feeling bad with mastitis. The babies got to hang out with Gigi all day!
On Thursday (7/12) Mommy started feeling so much better. Gigi and Mommy took you both to Aunt Bo's condo to clean it for her. Aunt Bo works about 100 hours a week and is never home. Both babies slept on Bo's bed while I organized all of Bo's jewelry. Bo was able to come home for dinner (she had to go back to work afterwards) and Daddy stopped by after work and we walked over to Brixx and enjoyed a meal out!
Brother Sister Tummy Time
out to dinner
cuddling with aunt bo
Holds and Daddy
On Friday (7/13) Gigi headed back to Atlanta and we all hung out around the house all day waiting for Daddy to come home. We also got rid of your preemie bottles since you all are taking 3oz now and those bottles were only 2oz!
On Saturday (7/14) Mommy started to feel sick and had to go back to the hospital. Daddy packed everyone up and dropped Mommy off. It was one of the hardest nights I've ever had being away from the babies. I kept hearing babies cry and would like about my babies at home. Gran drove to Charlotte to spend the night and help Daddy out.
I'm a hard stick and unfortunately got my iv close to my arm pit!
On Sunday (7/15) Poppy arrived early in the morning to help Daddy out. You both enjoyed spending time with him. According to your Dad, Poppy walked you around the house and told you stories of all the hard work he and your Daddy did updating our home. Holden felt ice for the first time and both of you got fist fulls of Boomer fur! That afternoon, Gigi came to the hospital to hang out with me for a little bit. Daddy brought you to the hospital that evening and I LOVED seeing you! The nurses were all excited to see you! They had helped me out when I was in the hospital while pregnant with you and had fun seeing you on the outside. I got to feed you your 9pm bottles before Gigi and Daddy took you back home.
Emma Cate visiting Mommy in this hospital
Holden visiting Mommy in the hospital
Daddy is tired of visiting Mommy in this hospital
so thankful to see my babies!
On Monday (7/16) I was still in the hospital and you got to hang out with Gigi. You met Gigi's friend Kate and had fun hanging out. Gigi brought you to the hospital and I was able to breastfeed you a bit and snuggle with my babies.
Really rough picture but remembering my time in the hospital and my sweet babies that came to visit.
On Tuesday (7/17) I was feeling sooo much better and ready to be released from the hospital. Your Gigi had to be back in Atlanta to show her house at 4pm so we were in a mad rush to get everything done! It was a bit of a crazy day! I had a great nurse that got my doctor to release me early and helped us get out of the hospital by 11am. Gigi had a doctor's appointment at 11:10 that was on the hospital campus so we loaded all of Mommy's stuff up and rushed through the hospital to get Gigi there in time. Immediately after her appointment she had to drop us off at home and head back to Atlanta. It was hard to see her go and I was nervous to be on my own with you babies again!
love playing in the pack n play
iphone pics of the same scene:
I love this picture of her. I asked her to smile for me and this is what I got. Such a stinker!
my laid back buddy!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)